Rotational drive apparatus with ratcheting mechanism
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11002346-B2
Publication Date
2021-05-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A hand held, hand operated apparatus for rotating, or spinning, rotatably oscillating and/or inducing back and forth longitudinal movement in a device, such as an elongated medical device. A drive shaft of the hand held, hand operated rotational drive apparatus includes a ratcheting mechanism capable of enabling oscillating (repeated forward and reverse) rotation of a device that has been coupled thereto when there is little or no resistance on the rotated device, and of enabling an actuator to return to a position that will enable further forward, or driving, rotation of the drive shaft and the rotated device when resistance on the rotated device prevents the rotated device and the drive shaft from rotating in a reverse direction.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a hand-operated rooter for rotating an elongated medical instrument. The rooter includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft having a longitudinal axis and a rotation feature comprising a helical ridge protruding from the rotatable element.
An actuator is configured to move along the length of the rotatable element and to selectively cooperate with the rotatable element. The actuator includes a proximal member and a distal member movable along the length of the rotatable element, and the proximal member includes a drive feature complementary to the rotation feature of the rotatable element. The proximal member and the distal member include engagement features that define an engaged arrangement and a disengaged arrangement.
In the engaged arrangement, the distal engagement features engage the proximal engagement features in a manner that prevents the proximal member from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the rotatable element, so the proximal member drive feature causes the rotatable element to rotate as the proximal member moves along the rotatable element. When rotational resistance is below a threshold, the proximal member holds the rotatable element rotationally stationary to drive rotation in a first direction, and when resistance is at or above the threshold the engagement features disengage to enable the proximal member to rotate about the rotatable element as the proximal member moves along the rotatable element, thereby allowing rotation in a second direction. The actuator further includes a return spring that returns the actuator toward a starting position and produces reduced reverse oscillation of the drive shaft.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a rooter with a rotatable element and an actuator that selectively switches between engaged and disengaged arrangements using proximal and distal engagement features, including operation with a rotational resistance threshold. The claim set emphasizes complementary drive and rotation features, cooperating teeth, and rotationally stationary versus rotationally permissive behavior across first and second rotation directions.
Engaged and disengaged engagement arrangements for actuator members
A rotatable element having a rotation feature and an actuator with a proximal member and a distal member, where distal engagement features have an engaged arrangement that prevents the proximal member from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the rotatable element and a disengaged arrangement that permits the proximal member to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the rotatable element.
Proximal drive rotation in a first direction with rotationally stationary holding
A proximal member that drives rotation of the rotatable element in a first direction, including engagement features that engage the engagement features of a distal member to hold the proximal member rotationally stationary so the rotatable element is prevented from rotating when encountering less than a threshold resistance in rotating the proximal member in the second direction to enable movement of the proximal member distally along the rotatable element to drive rotation of the rotatable element in the second direction.
Disengagement enables proximal rotation about the rotatable element at or above threshold resistance
Engagement features that disengage the engagement features of the distal member to enable the proximal member to rotate about the rotatable element upon encountering at least the threshold resistance in rotating the rotatable element in the second direction, enabling the proximal member to rotate about the rotatable element as the proximal member moves distally along the rotatable element.
Helical ridge rotation feature on the rotatable element
The rotation feature of the rotatable element includes a helical ridge protruding from the rotatable element.
Cooperating teeth engagement between distal and proximal members
The engagement features of the distal member and the engagement features of the proximal member comprise cooperating teeth.
Radially oriented drive surface and outward-tapering slip surface on cooperating teeth
Each tooth of the cooperating teeth includes a radially oriented drive surface to hold the proximal member rotationally stationary during proximal forcing in the first direction, and an outward-tapering slip surface that enables disengagement and distal movement when the rotatable element resists rotation in the second direction to enable the proximal member to rotate about the rotatable element as the proximal member moves distally along the rotatable element.
Biasing and return element for actuator reset and reduced reverse oscillation
A biasing member that includes a compression spring to provide a return that returns the actuator to a starting position with reduced reverse oscillation of the drive shaft.
Overall, the claims cover a rotatable element with a helical ridge rotation feature and an actuator whose proximal and distal engagement features switch between preventing proximal member rotation and permitting proximal member rotation based on a threshold resistance. The arrangement uses complementary drive features and cooperating teeth with radially oriented drive surfaces and outward-tapering slip surfaces, and includes a return spring to reset the actuator and reduce reverse oscillation.
Stated Advantages
Allows oscillating forward/reverse rotation when rotational resistance is below a threshold while allowing the actuator to return toward a starting position with reduced reverse oscillation of the drive shaft when resistance is at or above the threshold.
Enables longitudinal hammering movement via actuator travel along longitudinal slots.
Documented Applications
Use as a rooter for rotating an elongated medical instrument, including drill bit, biopsy needle, needle, trocar, cannula, stylet, catheter, wire, and macerator.
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